by Wyoming Voices Join Grand Rapids in Honoring George Floyd and Demanding Police Reform
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Sunday marked five years since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a moment that sparked a global reckoning with police violence and racial injustice. Though the mass protests of 2020 have quieted, community activists—including supporters from as far as Wyoming—gathered to ensure Floyd’s legacy and the push for reform remain front and center.
At Joe Taylor Park in Grand Rapids, a solemn crowd assembled, organized by the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression. The gathering, while modest in size, was powerful in message. At its heart stood a table adorned only with flowers and a photo of George Floyd, a symbol of remembrance and resistance.
Attendees observed a moment of silence for Floyd, whose death on May 25, 2020, under the knee of former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, ignited months of protests across the nation. Chauvin was later convicted of murder, yet many believe meaningful change is still out of reach.
Rather than march, the group stayed in the park to hear passionate speeches from local activists and community leaders. Chants from the 2020 movement echoed once more, reminding everyone that the fight for justice is ongoing.
A major focus of the event was the push for “community control of the police.” Activists are calling for independent civilian oversight boards with the power to hire and fire officers and determine law enforcement budgets—an idea gaining support in communities across the U.S., including in parts of Wyoming where similar conversations are underway.
“Our power, as a community, is really, really limited,” said Eduardo Montiel, co-chair of the Grand Rapids Alliance. “There are powerful police unions that are against us.”
Tensions rose as speakers referenced recent local controversies, including last week’s decision not to retry former officer Christopher Schurr in the killing of Patrick Lyoya. The deaths of Riley Doggett and Samuel Sterling—both killed during police chases last year—were also highlighted. Sterling’s mother, Andrica Cage, spoke through tears about her loss and her continued fight for justice.
“I’m here for fighting. I’m fighting for Black lives. White lives. Any race lives at this point,” she said.
Organizers expressed frustration over national developments they see as setbacks, such as former President Trump’s executive order expanding protections for police and ongoing efforts to seek a pardon for Derek Chauvin on federal charges.
Despite the challenges, the message was one of determination and unity.
“It’s our turn to win now,” Montiel said. “We have to empower ourselves, and we have to unite.”
The Grand Rapids rally was one of several held nationwide by the Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression, with events also taking place in cities like Seattle, Milwaukee, and Chicago—demonstrating that from Michigan to Wyoming, the movement is far from over.
